Game device



March 30, 1954 Filed May 27, 1949 E. J. COLLINS ET Al.

GAME DEVICE FIG. I.

4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS EDWARD I. COLLINS JAMES L. COLLINS CHARLES 0. BRUNER BY #7AM #my ATTORNEYS March 30, T954 E. J. COLLINS ET AL 2,673,637

GAME DEVICE Filed May 27, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 69e FIG. e. 70e

55h 63a 3c H :Ll 23a 63d 63h 631 mvENToRs RD .COLLINS S OLLINS CHARLESA 0. BRUNER BY A Wmv/b/M ATTORNEYS Filed May 27, 1949 E. J. COLLINS ET AL GAME DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 9. 99a

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soa- 88d ISGS I/\ J 67e evf esfese 70e 7of J V 1 J i l 85s 84s M v/ L (j 64e f 65e esf 66e eef 82s I l? INVENToRs 23h Y?" EDWARD J. coLLlNs v f JAMES' L. COLLINS 81s CHARLES 0. BRUNER 80s BY Mmm/LAM,

ATTORNEYS March 30, 1954 E. J. COLLINS ET AL GAME DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F" led May 27, 1949 Dn m S rr. SLNN R I. Ul.- U O 0 I.. Dn T C 0 nD N C WMI 0. N I. S D RSU AER WMA A H E .JC

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44a 44h 44C 44d aob T Patented Mar. 30,Y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A further object is to means and an electrical indicator means Where- 15 in the target means takes the place of ordinary ten pins and, in conjunction with the electrical means, gives results substantially the same as would be obtained in a regular full-sized bowling game.

A particularv object of the invention is to provide a novel target switch which can be readily actuated by a playing same and which is not subject to being damaged Another object of the a target member including a lever having a portion projecting' through a slot in a playing surface which portion is adapted to be struck by a playing object sliding over the surface and including electrical switch means actuated by pivotal movement of the lever.

Another object is to provide in a gaine device of the type indicated a target area having spots 0 or areas which can be illuminated and arranged in an equilateral triangle in the manner of ten pins, a plurality of target members disposed in the target area, and electrical means operatively connected to the target members in such a way 45 and so arranged that the electrical means will respond to actuation of the targets by a playing object in a manner to darken (or illuminate) the areas corresponding to the ten pins that would be knocked down by a bowling ball travel- .5o The latter is connected by a belt 3@ to a motor sheave 3l of a motor 32 which is supported in any suitable way and enclosed within a motor housing, indicated by 32a.

Shaft 28a, on which is mounted pulley 28, carries a worm '33 (Figs. 3 and 10) which meshes ing the same path as the path traveled by a playing object oi' the game on a given play.

'These and other objects will be apparent from the 4drawings and the thereof.

GAME DEVICE Edward J. Collins, Westwood, .lames L. Collins, Santa Monica, and Charles 0. Bruner, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application May 27, 1949, Serial No. 95,736

4 Claims. (C1. 194-9) device;

object or weight;

In this connection an lo ment of the targets;

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the game device; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the game Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 0f Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a playing Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the target area of the gaine device showing the arrange- Fig. 'l' is a section on line 1 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig. 6; and

provide a novel target the electrical circuits.

as a whole.

Figs. 9 and 10 are wiring diagrams showin More particularly describing the invention, reference numeral l5 indicates the game device This isV generally in the form of a table and includes a box-like frame I6 to which zo is dependently attached a conveyor housing Il.

obj ect contacting the ous parts.

to the frame I6.

invention is to provide the players.

housing Il. f

a pocket 25.

following description At one end of the device is an upright hollow electrical equipment cabinet I8 and a canopy 18a supported thereby. Suitable legs i9., which may be attached in any ordinary manner, serve by being struck by the playing object. 25 to support the frame i6, housing Il, and vari- A further object of the invention is to provide a game device providing a plane playing surface over which to slide a playing object or disk together with novel electrical target switch means projecting through the playing surface adapted 3Q to be actuated by the sliding disk.

At the forward end of the device there is mounted a coin box 20, which may be secured A scoring pad support 2i may also be provided at this end of the device.

A horizontal partition ita' extending between the elements of the frame It supports a playing table 23, which has a smooth, plane playing surface 23a over which the playing objects or disks, :g3 later to be described, are manually propelled by The partition along its sides at ich and Ic to provide a passage for a playing object should the same leave the playing surface 23a over the lateral margins thereof. Playing objects falling through these apertures are directed to a conveyor 2'4 by means of inclined walls Ila and llb of the conveyor ita is apertured The conveyor includes van endless belt 26 which is adapted to bedriven in a direction to move playing objects from the rear of the game device to the front where they are delivered into The conveyor includes a drive pulley 2l, a driven pulley 2t, and a sheave 29.

3 with a gear wheel 34 mounted on a shaft 35. Arm 36 is mounted on the shaft 35 and rotates therewith being constructed and arranged to actuate a switch 31, the function of which will be explained later.

The cabinet I8 houses the major portion of the electrical means, including a transformer 38, a motor relay 39, a reset relay 40, a playerl light step-switch 4|, a frame counter step-switch 42, and target lamp relays 83-88, the functions of which will be described later. The cabinet is provided with a window 43, which is preferably transparent or translucent, the window being provided with suitable markings 44 to indicate the number of coins deposited. Directly behind the indicia M are lamps 44a, 44h, Mc, and Md, respectively, which are illuminated one for each coin deposited in the coin box 2D in a manner to be described.

The end of the playing table 23 nearest the cabinet |8 is provided with a target area 23h which terminates short of the rear wall of the frame I6 to provide a space for the playing ob jects to drop to the conveyor below after passing over the playing surface of the table. The target area 2319 of the table is provided with openings SI-Bil (Figs. 6 and 7) which are arranged to form an equilateral triangle. Each opening is closed by a translucent plug which is flush with the playing surface of the table, the plugs being indicated by numerals Sla-63a. Each opening is provided with a target lamp or pin light (Fig. 7) and these lights have been indicated by numerals SIe-60o. For the purpose of accentuating the pattern of the target area, the openings |-60 are surrounded with concentricJ recesses SIb-60h which are preferably filled with a colored material that is readily visible in contrast to the playing surface.

The target area is provided with a pair of slots for each opening 5|-B0, the slots of each pair being positioned one on each side of the opening and being indicated by the numerals Sla-lila and SIb-10b. Additionally, two extra slots are provided one on each side of the first opening 5|.

These extra slots are indicated by numerals 'Ha and 1|b. 'I'he slots are designed to receive upwardly projecting ends of levers Bic-l'Ic and Gld-'Hd forming part of target switches Sle- 1 |e and 6 If-'l f, respectively.

Each target switch lever is pivotally mounted at 64 on a bracket 9| and includes a plate-like end portion 92 which extends upwardly through the slot and is normally yieldably held by spring 93 positioned as shown in Fig. 8 wherein the switch lever presents an inclined upper edge for engagement by a playing object. As the playing object passes over the lever it depresses the same and the pivotal movement thereof raises the op posite end of the lever which engages the bottom blade of a switch 94. The other switch blade 95 is supported on bracket 9| which is adapted to be secured to the undersurface of the playing table, as by screws 96.

In addition to the above-described openings or lighted areas of the target area of the playing surface, the target area may be provided with a pair of colored or lighted guide spots l2 and 73.

As previously indicated, the table 23 is adapted to provide a playing surface 23a over which a suitable type of playing object or weight can be manually propelled by a player from the front end of the table toward the rear end thereof with a view of passing through the target area. In Fig. 5 there is shown a playing object or weight, which is generally indicated by numeral 45. The object may be made of any suitable material and is preferably in the shape of a disk. The lower surface 5a cf the object may be slightly convex and the upper surface 55h is preferably recessed. Near its periphery the intersection of the bottom surface and the peripheral surface may consist of a rounded portion C. It will be apparent that this object may be readily slid over the playing surface and will serve to depress any target switch over which it passes, thereby actuating the same.

The electrical system of the game device is shown in Figs. 9 and l0. The purpose of the system is to permit a given number of plays for each coin deposited and to provide means to give a visible indication of the targets hit each time the playing object is propelled over the target area. As previously described, the game device, in the form illustrated is designed to simulate a ten-pin bowling gaine and for that reason ten target lamps Elo-fide are illuminated at the start of each frame The target lamps are ineluded in an electrical circuit which is normally closed once the device has been initially energized by the insertion of a coin in coin box 2U. The individual lamps are controlled byv target lamp relays S-B- These are included in normaily open circuits which are closed by actuation of the target switches previously described. Certain target switches control a single lamp relay.- while others control a plurality of the relays through interconnecting circuits of certain of the relays. The relays have self-establishing holding circuits to maintain them energized after initial energization by closing ci a target switch.

A coin switch 28a is provided for initially establishing credit in the system for a limited number of plays and actuation thereof serves to actuate a frame counter step-switch or playlimiting means 42 and give an indication of the deposit cf the coin through what will be termed a player light step-switch Iii. The system also includes a motor 32 for the conveyor, a motor relay 39, and a reset relay ill The motor relay controls the motor circuit, a lamp circuit, and a hold circuit which runs to the target lamp relays. It is initially energized by the coin switch 25a through the reset relay, also thereby energized, and subsecuently during play, or between frames" by a reset switch 2Gb.

The component parts and typical exemplary operations of the electrical apparatus embodied in the game device will now be described simultaneously. Referring to Figs. 9 and l0 and disregarding the relation or position of the controlling elements of the device as they may have been left by a previous player, it will be assumed that a coin is inserted in coin box 20. This closes switch 2cd and establishes a circuit from the 24 v. line of transformer 38 through the coil of reset relay di), the current passing through conductor |33, normally closed (shown open) switch 42a of the frame counter step-switch 42, and through conductors icl and |il2. Energization of coil 43a of relay di) closes switches 4Gb and Mld and opens switch 413e.

The closing of switch 48d completes a circuit from line 98 through coil 39a of motor relay 38 through the medium of conductors |04, |35, and |08, thereby closing switches 39h and 39e and opening switches 39d and 39e. Closing of switch 39h establishes a holding circuit from line S8 through conductor |34, coil 39a, and conductor |06 to ground through normally closed switch 37. 'Y

The closing Vof switch v39o completes a circuit from the Y115volt line through conveyor motor 32. This provides a means of driving the conveyor belt 26, `and through the medium of the worm 33, gear wheel34, and lever 36 there is provided means for actuating switch 3T to control the advancing operation of the frame counter step-switch 42. The insertion of the coin starts the resetting cycle and the lever 35 makes one revolution to open switch 3l. The momentum of the motor is such as to carry the lever past the switch to allow it to close again.

The closing of switch 40h by energization of relay 49 completes a circuit from line se through reset solenoid 4ta of player light step-switch 4l through conductors Ill, lli?, lil, and Mila. Energization of solenoid Ma causes a holding pawl Mb to be moved out of engagement with teeth on a ratchet wheel sld and simultaneously releases advancing pawl llc so that a torsional spring Me acts to rotate the wheel counterclockwise to the zero or iirst position. Wheel Md has fixed to it four arms M, 44g, Mh, and M7', each arm carrying a contact point which is grounded electrically. In the zero position, the contact on arm lilf completes a circuit from the 6volt line 99 through conductor E9e and player lamp 44a by a conductor terminating in the irst contact button 44p, thereby indicating that one coin has been inserted in the coin box and that the player `is entitled to a given number of plays.

We will assume, for the present, that only one coin is inserted at this time. Closing of switch Mib also energizes solenoid 2b through conductors llb, liH, and lili! causing pawl 42e to be released from engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 42d, and simultaneously releasing an advancing pawl 42e so that torsional spring 4-21 will `rotate the wheel 42d counterclockwise to the position shown on the drawing. An arm 42g is xed to the wheel 42d, the end of the arm carrying a contact shown as being in registration with a button 42h. The arm 42g has a projection 4-27 which serves to mechanically open the switch 42a when the arm reaches the position shown.

This reset action is very rapid and takes place before the coin switch 2da opens, the coin switch being of the type wherein the coin holds the switch closed for a short period of time. To prevent relay 4B from immediately being dropped when switch 42a opens, a temporary holding circuit is established through the relay by the closed switch 4th, one side of which is connected to conductor Illll and the other side to conductor itil. Thus, when switch 2da iinally opens, the circuit is opened through reset relay is and consequently through the reset solenoids #lla and 42h.

With the dropping of relay 4d switches Mb and 40d are thereby opened and switch 4to closes. Despite the fact that switch dtd has opened, motor relay 39 remains energized through the holding circuit previously completed through the closing of switch 3th. The motor thus continues to rotate until lever 35 advances suiiiciently to break the holding circuit by opening switch 3l. Immediately after breaking this circuit, the lever moves the leaf of the switch 3l to make contact with the opposite button and thus establishes a circuit from line 98 to ground through solenoid 42k of step-switch 42, the current passing through conductors |53 and H4. As a result, advanoing-pawl 42e is retractedfa distance equal to one tooth of the-wheel 42d and upon deenergizing of solenoid 42k (as lever 36 passes beyond switch 31) a spring 42m pulls theV pawl and advances the wheel and consequently the arm 42g one step. 'This moves the contact of arm 42g onto the arcuate strip 42g. However, the arm does not move far enough to permit switch 42a to close. The energizing and deenergizing of coil 39a, having opened and again closed switches 39d and 39e, has thus broken and closed a holding circuit through conductor 3971, running to all of the target lamp relays 863-33, thereby allowing all previously extinguished target lamps to again be illuminated, setting the entire machine ready for play.

The z'mtz'al play Assume that the player so directs a playing object that it passes over target switch luf, thereby closing the same. This completes a circuit from the line 98 to coil 87a of the target lamp relay 81 through conductor 87s, thus closing Switch Slb and opening switch 37e. In this connection, each target lamp relay is connected to ground on one side and each target switch is connected to the 24-volt current supply line 98. The closing ci switch Slo establishes a holding circuit from conductor 39h through the rela-y. Opening of switch 31o opens the circuit to target light Sile, extinguishing it. The light re mains out until resetting of the machine for the next play. Thus the player has scored the tenpin or one point for the first try of the play.

Assume now that the player directs the next playing object so that it passes over switches Ede and Gif. The closing of switch 64e completes a circuit through conductor Bts and coil @tot of relay B which closes switches 8th and 84e and opens switches 84d and 8de. The closing of switch l'lf completes a circuit through relay 86, closing switch 36h and opening switch BEC. As in the case of coil 87a, the holding circuit is again established and target lights 54o, 51o and 58e are extinguished, the player having scored the number four, seven, and eight pins, making a total score of four points for the iirst frame.

The reset The player then pushes the reset button on the coin box and switch 20h is closed to energize motor relay 3d by way of conductors |04 (connected to supply line 93) and Hl through arcuate contact strip @2q to ground. This closes switches 33h and 39e but opens switches 39d and 39e. Closing switch 39h again establishes the holding circuit for coil Bda as previously described. Switch tc again establishes the motor circuit and hence the arm 36 makes its revolution and breaks the circuit to the coil 39a, deenergizing the coil, breaking the circuit to the motor and re-establishing the hold line 39h and lamp line 99d. Switch 3l', being moved sui'iiciently to complete the circuit through solenoid li2lc as previously explained, the advancing-pawl rotates wheel iid and arm 2g one step. This impluse now allows the switch 42a to completely close. The device is now ready for the playing of the second frame.

The play, second frame so directs a playing target switches Gle,

86e, and By. Relay 8l would close switches 8th,. vBic butfopen switches Sid, Bie, and lf. Correspending switches associated with relays 82 and 83 would be similarly actuated. Switches Bb, 8| b, 82h, and 83h would establish holding circuits for the relay coils 80a, 8 la, 82a., and 83a, respectively. Thus, lamps 55e, 52o, 53e, 54e, 55C, 56e, 58e, and 59e are extinguished, making a perfect Split, leaving the number seven and the number ten-pin lights illuminated. The player on his second try might hit either one of these. The reset button is again pushed to energize the motor relay and the reset cycle carried through as before to light the target lamp.

The play, third frame Assume now that a player directs the playing object so that it passes over the switches 6l f, 'I l f, 651, also obviously passing over 63e, but the latter in this case is inactive. Switch tlf controls relay 8i, switch l E f controls relay 88, and switch 65j controls relay 83B. Coil Bic of the relay 8l closes switches Sib, Sic but opens switches Bld, 81e, Blf. Relay 8S closes switches 88h, 85e, and 88d. Coil 83a of the relay 83 closes switches 83h, 83e but opens switches 83d, 83e, 83),

With switches @Sd and Sic closed, coil 82a of the relay 82 is supplied current and hence closes switches B2b, 82C but opens switches 82d, 82e, and 82j. With switch 82e closed, current from the holding circuit is supplied to the coil Mc of the relay 84 and thus closes switches 84h, ilc but opens switches 84d and Sile. With switch 83o closed, current from the holding circuit is supplied to coil 85a of the relay S5, closing switches 8517, 85e but opening switches 85d and $56. With switches 83e and 85e closed, current is supplied to the coil 81a of the relay 81 and thus opens switch 81e. All lamps are thus extinguished. and so the player has scored a Strike.

The device is reset as before.

The pla-y, fourth frame Assume that the player directs a weight so that it passes over 1 if, 632, and over 66e. Switch Hf controls relay 83. Switches 83j and tite are both coupled to complete the circuit to coil 83a of the relay 83. Coil 85a of the relay 85 is supplied current from switch 83o of the relay S3. Coil 87a of the relay 81 is supplied current from switch 85o of the relay 35 and through the switch 88e of the relay 33. Thus the circuits to the lamps 53e, 55e, 56e, 58e, 59C, and @be are opened, scoring the numbers three, ve, six, eight, nine, and ten pins.

The game may continue until a total of ten frames or, if the player makes a strike in the tenth frame, he would then be entitled under rules of bowling to the two free throws, making a total of twelve frames. The length of the contact strip Mq of the frame-counter step-switch 42 is such that a total of twelve resets may be made before the contact point on the arm 42g would leave the strip 42g and come to rest on the button at the end of conductor lla. When arm 42g is on this button (and -only one coin has been deposited) the reset circuit has no ground connection. However, if the player had deposited an additional coin before starting to play, the second coin would have closed switch Zila, completing a circuit through switch 48h to the solenoid 41k, advancing the arms Alf, Mg, Mh, and 4U' a distance equal to another button of the player-light step-switch. The contact on the arm Mg would then have made contact with the second button Mq so that when the contact on the arm 42g of the frame-counter step-switch 42 reached the button between strips 42q and 42T,

a ground for the reset circuit would be re-established and the play could continue. This condition is also true when the third and fourth coin is deposited, the arcuate strips 42T, 42s, and 42t being provided on the step-switch 42 for this purpose. In this manner, two, three, or four players may play in much the same sequence as in the regular game of bowling.

Provision is also` made for plays where seemingly the player had directed the playing object so that it came within the area dened by one of the circular markings SIb-Bill? on the surface of the target field 2319 but did not actually depress the switch. For instance, an object passing over the extreme right side of the area defined for the number six pin, misses the number Bf switch but passes over the number 10e switch. In reality, the number six pin would have been scored and so, switch Tile is coupled to 66j with a jumper wire to make the play realistic.

In the description so far by way of example we have originated the plays on the right-hand side of the target eld. It is understood, however, that similar plays might just as readily originate on the left-hand side. Also it will be apparent that there are many more plays possible than those described thus far.

In the description above we have assumed only one coin was deposited. Had a second coin been deposited immediately following the rst, this would again close switch 20a thereby energizing the circuit through the solenoid Mk, such circuit including switch 40C which is closed. In this connection it may be pointed out that the arm 42g of the play-limiting step-switch is in a position at the end of the contact member 42g adjacent a button 42h and that in this position it still holds switch 42a open. With this latter switch open the reset relay is not energized and solenoids Ma and 42h are not energized. Hence, the only function of a second and succeeding coins is to advance the player light step-switch 4l. The result of this is that the play can go on, depending upon the number of coins inserted as the arm 42g of the play-limiting switch reaches the ends of the segments 42q, 421', 42s, and 42t as the case may be, since the contact buttons between these segments are connected to ground through the player light step-switch.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a game device having a target area, electrical means adapted to be connected to a source of current supply comprising a plurality of playregistering lamps, a plurality of play-registering lamp relays controlling said lamps, means for energizing said relays including a current supply for said relays, a plurality of target switches connected between the current supply and the individual relays for initially selectively energizing said relays, self-establishing holding circuits for said relays, a coin-controlled step-switch, a play-limiting step-switch, coin-controlled means for returning both said step-switch means to a starting position and for initially advancing said play-limiting step-switch one unit, said coin-controlled means including means for advancing said coin-controlled step switch one unit for each coin inserted after return of same to starting position, and manually controlled play-registering reset means for momentarily breaking said holding circuits and advancing said play-limiting step-switch one unit, said reset means being connected in series with said play-limiting stepswitch and, in certain positions of same, in series with said coin-controlled step-switch, and said play-limiting switch wh-ereby the reset means is deenergized when the play-limiting step-switch reaches a predetermined position dependent upon the position of the coin-controlled step-switch.

2. In a game device having a target area and target switches therein adapted to be actuated selectively by a playing object, play-registering lamps, lamp relay means controlling said lamps connected for selective initial energization by said target switches, and self-establishing holding circuits for said relays connected to a supply conductor for the holding circuits, control means for the conductor, comprising a motor, a motor relay controlling a normally closed switch in said supply conductor and controlling said motor, a manually controlled normally open reset switch for initially energizing said motor relay. a self-establishing holding circuit for said motor relay, switch means operated by said motor for opening the motor relay holding circuit after a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor, a play-limiting step-switch including a solenoid operated switch advancing means, and additional switch means operated by said motor for energizing the solenoid operated switch advancing means, said play-limiting switch being connected in series with said reset switch.

3. In a game device having a target area and target switches therein adapted to be actuated selectively by a playing object, play-registering lamps, lamp relay means controlling said lamps connected for selective initial energization by said target switches, self-establishing holding circuits for said relays connected to a supply conductor for the holding circuits, control means for the conductor, comprising a motor, a motor relay controlling a normally closed switch in said supply conductor and -controlling said motor, a manually controlled normally open reset switch for initially energizing said motor relay, a self-establishing holding circuit for said motor relay, switch means operated by said motor for opening the motor relay holding circuit after a predetermined number of revolutions of said motor, a play-limiting step-switch including a solenoid operated switch advancing means, and additional switch means operated by said motor for energizing the solenoid operated switch advancing means, said play-limiting switch being connected in series with said reset switch, and coin-controlled means for initially closing said play-limiting switch.

4. In a game device having a target area and target switches therein adapted to gbe actuated selectively by a playing object, play-registering lamps, lamp relay means controlling said lamps connected for selective initial energization by said target switches, and self-establishing holding circuits for said relays connected to a supply conductor for the holding circuits, control means for the conductor, comprising a relay controlling a normally closed switch in said supply conductor, a manually controlled normally open reset switch connected for initially energizing said relay, a

self-establishing holding circuit for said relay, a timing means operable upon energization of said relay for opening said relay holding circuit after a predetermined lapse of time, a play-limiting step-switch in series with said reset switch, stepswitch advancing means, said timing means being operable, when actuated, to energize said stepswitch advancing means, and a coin-controlled switch and circuit means for initially closing said play-limiting switch.

EDWARD J. COLLINS.

JAMES L. COLLINS.

CHARLES O. BRUNER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 504,087 Nelson Aug. 29, 1893 2,194,830 Koci Mar. 26, 1940 2,223,255 Kooi Nov. 26, 1940 2,263,727 Gensburg Nov. 25, 1941 2,317,126 Biderman Apr. 20, 1943 2,470,325 Stillman May 17, 1949 

